Rubber overshoe



(Mod'eL) T J. MAYALL. Rubber Overshoe.

No. 228,769. Patented June 15,1880.

N. PEYERS, PHOTOUTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, u C.

NITED STATES ATENT tries.

THOMAS J. MAYALL, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUBBER OVERSHOE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 228,769, dated June 15,1880.

Application filed April 15, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS J. MAYALL, ofReading, Massachusetts, haveinvented a new and useful ImprovementinIndia-Rubber Overshoes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a water-proof over-shoe solight and made in such form that the pair can be rolled up like a pairof gloves in a package so small that it can be conveniently carried inthe pocket.

My invention relates to the thickness of the rubber sheet and the shapeand relation to each other of the several pieces which make up the shoe.

To make this overshoe, pure rubber of a high quality should be used. Forthe bottom of the shoe I make it about one thirty-second part of an inchthick, and for the top about half as thick as the bot-tom, the heelbeing overlaid with one thickness.

A piece of rubber sheet is cut out for the bottom of the shoe. A pieceof rubber sheet for the top or vamp is cut outin the same form as forthe bottom, but a little larger, and at the heel the breadth and lengthare increased beyond that of the sole and heel considerably more thanforward of the shank The edges of the piece out out for the top or vampare folded in and cemented to the bottom or sole. The piece of rubberfor the top or vamp is cut open on a central line from a point about oneand three-quarters inch from the forward end to a point about one andone-half inch from the rear end. Along each side of this cut, and aroundthe ends of it, I lay a re-enforcing-strip of the rubber sheet abouthalf an inch wide, which is cemented to its place. From the rear end ofthe cut mentioned to the rear end of the shoe, and lapping over onto theheel, I also lay a re-enforcing-strip of rubber sheet, which is cementedto its place. At the rear end of the cut in the top or vamp thislast-mentioned re-enrorcing-strip is lined with cloth and formed into aloop, through which a tape or string is passed loosely, and in wearingthe shoe the tape is brought forward around the ankle and tied over theinstep to prevent the shoe from slipping off at the heel.

The object of lining the re-enforcing-strip with clothis to make itnon-elastic, and to pre- (ModeL) vent the tape or string from wearing orbreaking out the loop. I also place a re-enforcingpatch on the inside ofthe shoe at each end of the out in the top or vamp to prevent tearingwhen the shoe is drawn on the foot.

The shoe being tllus prepared and made is then vulcanized in the usualmanner, and is complete and ready for use. The top or vamp will, exceptat the heel, lie flat upon the sole, and the vulcanizing is done when itis upon a form of which the forward part is as thin as it can be madeand keep its shape, while at the heel it is thicker, aboutthree-quarters of an inch, and rounded on the upper side.

The cut in the top or vamp is to make the opening for the foot to enter,and the elasticity of the rubber gives space for it. and at the sametime makes the whole shoe cling closely to the foot or the boot or shoeover which it is worn, so that water cannot get in between the overshoeand the inner one. Thus I produce a pair of overshoes weighing from twoto four ounces, according to size, and which can be rolled up togetherin a cylindrical bundle about an inch to an inch and a half in diameterand about three inches long. I make a small pouch of elasticsheet-rubber, in which the pair of overshoes so rolled up are placed andsecured by an elastic band or otherwise.

In the drawings annexed, Figure 1 shows an overshoe lying on its bottomon a flat surface. Fig. 2 shows a side view of an overshoe as it appearsin use on the foot. Fig. 3 shows the pouch. Fig. 4 shows the pair ofovershoes rolled up in. a bundle ready to be placed in the pouch,

a is the top or vamp of the overshoe. c is the rc-enforcing-strip. cl isthe cut in the top or vamp. c is the loop for the fastening-tape. g isthe tape in the loop.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new-- 1. An overshoecomposed of thin sheets of rubber substantially without backing or lining united in their plastic condition, as described, so that whenvnlcanized the shoe shall be practically flat and elastic in alldirections, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a rubberovershoe, the top or vamp composed of a thin elasticsheet, and provided and top or vamp, respectively, with a straight slitor cut in said top or vamp to form the opening for the foot, the shoebeing also pro- I 5 vided with re-enforcing-strips around said openingand at the back of the heel, and the Whole being cementedand vulcanized,substantially as described.

THOS. J. MAYALL.

Witnesses 011s. HOUGHTON, FREDK. L. HOUGHTON.

